Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has made yet another rare public appearance at the inauguration of Nigeria’s National Defence College (NDC) Course 33.
The retired head of state delivered a keynote address highlighting the role of strong institutions in promoting national security and sustainable development across Africa.
Uhuru, who recently celebrated his birthday while attending a high-level retreat in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, spoke passionately about the need for resilient internal frameworks within African nations to build stronger regional alliances.
In a lecture titled ‘The Imperatives of Strong Institutions: A panacea for National Security and Development in Africa,’ addressed the need for African leaders to build strong institutions to enhance security and collective prosperity.
“The nucleus of strong regions is strong nations. We must get it right in our individual nations to build a more robust collective,” Uhuru stated.
Addressing military personnel at the NDC, Uhuru discussed the importance of the military’s role in national security under civilian oversight.
Drawing on his experience, the former president outlined six essential lessons on how strong institutions foster security and development.
He observed the importance of investing in Africa’s youth, noting that with 70% of Africa’s population under the age of 30, providing economic opportunities for young people is critical.
“Today, the much-touted demographic dividend of our youth has matured, and our young people would like to cash in their checks immediately,” he remarked.
He also stressed the need for ethical management of public finances and equitable tax policies, asserting that transparency in governance builds public trust.
“Citizens across the continent are increasingly aware of the social contract existing between themselves and the state,” he opined, adding that governments must prioritise public welfare over individual gain.
